Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — The New Mexico Public Education Department says data from the 2023 – 2024 school year shows that chronic absenteeism has decreased 6.42% from the previous year. The rate is at 32.8% which is down from the highest reported rate of 40.73% in the 2021 – 2022 school year. Public Education Deputy Secretary Candice Castillo said the improving numbers are the result of a shifting approach, which emphasizes support instead of punishment.
